PETALING JAYA: An NGO running a free education programme for refugee children in the Klang Valley is appealing for funds for a new venue to continue their work.
Project R.ED, which stands for Refugee Education, currently runs English, Malay, mathematics, science and moral classes from a shop lot in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.
The classes involve some 50 refugee children aged between seven and 13, most of whom live around the Pudu area.
“We found out a month ago that we will be losing our classroom because the landlord decided not to renew the contract,” said Hilda Paviter, a co-founder of Project R.ED.
“It has been a whirlwind of uncertainties as we looked for a new space and we finally found one not too far from our original location in Pudu,” she said. However, the rental for the new shop lot is nearly 100% more than the old shop lot.
Project R.ED is currently paying RM1,000 a month for rent excluding its utility bills. The rent for the new venue is RM1,800 a month excluding utility bills. Hilda says they will now need RM2,300 a month for rent and utilities.
The group is seeking donations for the public to help them cover the rent and utilities at the new venue so they can continue holding classes for the refugee children for at least the next two years.
Hilda said Project R.ED works with the Myanmar Ethnicity Women’s Refugee Organisation (Mewro). The current venue also doubles as a sanctuary for women refugees who have just arrived in Malaysia.
“When you are forced to flee to a foreign place away from the comforts of your own home, a space like this makes all the difference as you try to find your landing and start your life again,” said Hilda.
She said Project R.ED has launched a fundraising campaign called 138 Champions which aims to secure 138 people to donate RM200 a year for two years. So far, 46 people have pledged donations.
They hope to meet their fundraising goal by January 2023 before the start of next year’s classes in March.
Those who wish to help may send a WhatsApp text message to the FMT Helpline @ 0193899839. Please do not call.
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